At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape and deliver strategic investments in UK bioscience innovation.
- Company: Join BBSRC, a leader in bioscience research and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 30 days leave, flexible working, and great pension scheme.
- Other info: Dynamic roles with excellent career growth and continuous learning opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on bioscience while collaborating with industry and policymakers.
- Qualifications: Degree in biological sciences or relevant experience; strong analytical and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 37841 - 37841 £ per year.
Salary: £37,841 per annum
Hours: Full time (minimum 0.8 FTE) (flexible working available)
Contract Type: 2 x Fixed Term (12 Months)
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire (hybrid)
Grade: UKRI Band D
Closing Date: Sunday 12th July 2026
Proposed Interview Dates: 27th / 28th July 2026
About the Role
BBSRC are recruiting two Portfolio Managers to join the Business Interaction Unit within the Capability and Innovation Domain. You will help shape and deliver strategic investments that drive the social and economic impact of UK bioscience, aligned with BBSRCs Forward Look, the Industrial Strategy, and wider government priorities. These are dynamic roles involving collaboration across BBSRC, UKRI, and external partners, including businesses and policymakers. You will gain valuable insight into innovative bioscience, innovation, and policy, while contributing to high-impact programmes.
Your Responsibilities:
- You will help shape and deliver BBSRCs strategic portfolio of academic-industry research investments, supporting high-impact bioscience innovation across the UK.
- The role focuses on developing and managing collaborative funding opportunities that connect researchers with businesses across a range of themes and challenge areas.
- You will engage with partners to inform strategy, support delivery of investment programmes, and monitor impact to guide future priorities.
Key responsibilities include:
- Developing and delivering interprofessional research investments
- Engaging with academia, industry, government, and policy partners
- Participate in BBSRC strategy and identifying emerging opportunities
- Monitoring portfolio performance and evidencing impact
We are looking for strategic, adaptable individuals with an interest in bioscience and its impact. Knowledge of the UK research and innovation landscape is desirable, but you will be supported to develop your expertise. We encourage applicants with relevant experience across industry, research, or policy.
Person Specification
The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I). Please ensure your application addresses the shortlisting criteria with evidenced examples of prior experience.
Essential:
- A degree in a biological or related subject, and/or equivalent relevant professional experience. (S).
- An understanding of how and why BBSRC and UKRI support bioscience commercialisation approaches and an appreciation of the different types of benefits and impact that arise from working with businesses and wider users of bioscience research (S&I).
- An ability to proactively plan and prioritise your work and manage multiple complex activities in order to meet deadlines (S&I).
- An ability to work with ambiguity and deal with difficult situations by showing initiative and judgement in a constantly evolving environment (S&I).
- Strong analytical and writing skills, including the ability to interpret, summarise and present complex information for different audiences (S&I).
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to build and maintain effective stakeholder relationships (S&I).
- Ability to work flexibly both independently and as part of a team to deliver shared objectives. (S&I).
- Awareness or experience of research and innovation strategy or policy development (S&I).
Benefits
We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. Committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning!
A list of benefits below:
- An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
- 30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent).
- Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
- Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice.
- Flexible working options.
- Plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!
UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer.
Portfolio Manager in Salisbury employer: BBSRC
At UK Research and Innovation, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that values continuous learning and employee development. Located in the vibrant city of Swindon, our hybrid working model allows for flexibility, while our comprehensive benefits package, including a generous pension scheme and ample annual leave, ensures a healthy work-life balance. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the bioscience sector, collaborating with diverse partners and contributing to high-impact programmes that drive innovation and economic growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Portfolio Manager in Salisbury
✨Get Involved in Local Research Communities
Tap into local biotechnology meetups and research forums. These are great places to mingle with industry professionals, share your passion, and even discover unadvertised job openings. It's all about getting your face known in the field!
✨Leverage University Alumni Networks
If you're a recent grad, don’t underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network! Reach out to alumni working in biotechnology to gather tips about job openings at companies like BBSRC. You'd be surprised how willing people are to help out a fellow grad!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Curate a portfolio showcasing any research projects or internships you've completed in biotechnology. This tangible evidence of your skills can really impress employers when you chat with them at networking events or interviews. It's about making that killer first impression!
✨Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends
Biotech is a fast-paced field, so keeping yourself updated with the latest advancements is crucial. Attend industry conferences, webinars, or workshops to broaden your knowledge and meet potential employers. Plus, it’ll give you fantastic talking points for your interviews at places like BBSRC!
We think you need these skills to ace Portfolio Manager in Salisbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Lab Skills:In the biotechnology field, it's super important to highlight your lab experience in your CV. Be sure to mention specific techniques or instruments you've mastered (think PCR, gel electrophoresis, etc.) and any relevant projects you've worked on. This will show BBSRC that you have the hands-on skills they need.
Tailor Your Technical Skills:Make sure to emphasise your technical skills, especially those relevant to the biotechnology sector. Include any software tools or programming languages you've used, like R or Python for data analysis, which could be key for this role at BBSRC.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Since this is a full-time role, your cover letter should reflect not only your passion for biotechnology but also your long-term career ambitions. Share why you're excited about the work that BBSRC does and how you envision contributing to their goals. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but you're genuinely invested in this opportunity.
Include Your Papers and Projects:If you've published any papers or contributed to significant projects, mention them! These documents can boost your application and provide tangible evidence of your expertise in the biotechnology field. Don’t forget to link to any relevant publications or project summaries—this can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at BBSRC
✨Brush Up on Lab Techniques
Since you're eyeing a full-time gig in biotechnology, make sure you're well-versed in the lab techniques relevant to the role. Be ready to talk about PCR, CRISPR, or any specific methods mentioned in the job description at BBSRC. You might even be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these processes.
✨Know Your Bioinformatics Tools
Get comfortable with bioinformatics tools that are commonly used in the industry, like BLAST or Bioconductor. These are key in biotechnology, and having hands-on experience or at least familiarity can set you apart. Prepare to discuss any relevant projects you've worked on, especially if they involved data analysis or genomic research.
✨Show Your Teamwork Skills
Biotech often involves collaboration across multiple disciplines. Be ready to share stories that highlight your teamwork and communication skills, especially in research projects. Think about working with different teams at university or any internships – this is where you can show how well you fit into BBSRC's culture.
✨Research Recent Biotech Innovations
Stay updated on the latest trends and breakthroughs in biotechnology. Knowing what's happening in the field can help you engage in more meaningful discussions during your interview. Bring up recent articles or advancements that excite you, especially those related to the work being done at BBSRC. This shows your passion for the industry!
